This may make me sound cruel, but I'd like to encourage you to go laugh at a veteran.

But I'm only suggesting that because the veteran in question, Jess Miller, is also a comedian and will be hosting a fundraiser for Project New Hope, Inc. at the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee on April 17.

Project New Hope Inc. is an organization that assists veterans and their families; helping them address post-deployment problems and challenges, as well as the fears stigmas that sometimes they and their families sometimes encounter.

Miller is Springfield-based comic who has performed at such renowned comedy venues as Caroline’s Comedy Club on Broadway in New York City. The evening will also feature Vince August and Leah Bonnema.

August is a New York City standup comic who has been a regular closing act at Caroline’s over the last several years. August also recently worked as a warm-up comic to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Bonnema, also a regular at Caroline's, was a finalist in ‘The New York's Funniest Competition" during the New York Comedy Festival.

Tickets are $22 in advance and $28 on the day of the show. For further details, call (413) 593-5222. The Hu Ke Lau is at 705 Memorial Drive.

Scouting report

Those who recall the blues jams at Springfield's old Tic Toc Lounge may want to head to Monty's Roadhouse in Chicopee on April 20 at 4 p.m. That's when a jam featuring some alumni of the Tic Toc get-togethers will take place. Monty's Roadhouse is at 733 Chicopee St.

I got a sneak peek inside the Platform Sports Bar in Northampton last week and it looks like it will be a great place to watch a game. The nasty winter prevented owners Jeremiah Micka, David Fortier, and John Rhoades from meeting their goal of opening in February, but stay tuned to this space for news on when the former Union Station venue will open its doors.

Uncle Hal's Crabgrass Band will play The Rendevous in the Turner's Falls section of Montague on April 11. The group performs an eclectic mixture of jazz standards, bluegrass, blues and country, covering such artists as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ralph Stanley, Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, Donovan, and Hank Williams. The show starts at 8 p.m. and there is no cover charge. The Rendezvous is at 78 Third St.

Lydia Warren will bring her acclaimed blues sound to Theodores' on April 11 at 9:30 p.m.
Since Warren’s 2001 debut at the precocious age of 17, the guitarist/singer/songwriter has been opening for blues and classic rock legends such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Little Feat. She was also featured on NBC’s "The Today Show." Theodores' is at 201 Worthington St. in Springfield.